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Corporate Counsel Recognizes Ellen Dwyer for Innovative Leadership

Firm News | 14 min read | 10.17.19

Washington – October 17, 2019: Corporate Counsel and InsideCounsel recognized  Ellen Moran Dwyer, chair of Crowell & Moring’s executive committee, for her innovative leadership Wednesday at its  2019 “Women, Influence and Power in Law” awards dinner at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

The award honors top women lawyers who have “made a remarkable difference in the legal profession -- whether in shaping the law, achieving outsized results for their clients, being an outstanding jurist or assisting those in need of legal services.”

Dwyer was selected for spearheading a firm-wide initiative called sponsorship, a program that tackles and helps improve the low rates of female and minority representation in the upper levels and leadership positions at law firms. The initiative is focused on building relationships between lawyers who are in a position to not only mentor but also advocate for, and advance the careers of, top talent within the firm. The program was the first of its kind in the legal industry, and has enhanced the diversity of Crowell & Moring's partner ranks. 

“Ellen rose through the ranks at a time when the number of women role models in our firm and most others was quite limited, and when diversity was a remote concept to most firms in BigLaw.  So she set about changing that reality,” said Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring. “Through this program and broader efforts to train partners and junior lawyers alike, we have developed fluency in the language of sponsorship, and have embraced its principles. The results have been measurable and palpable, increasing the ranks of women in our equity partnership, and our diverse lawyers at every level in the firm.”

Under Dwyer’s leadership, the firm is also participating in the Diversity Lab’s “Mansfield Rule 2.0” certification program. The program mandates that law firms consider more women attorneys, attorneys of color, and LGBTQ+ attorneys for recruitment and advancement.

Dwyer is also a member of the firm's Management Board. She is the firm's former general counsel and managing partner, and former chair of both the Promotions and Lawyer Development Committees. Dwyer has an active employment practice representing employers in the full array of labor and employment matters, including class action and individual claims filed under federal and state anti-discrimination and related employment laws. 

Ellen Dwyer (center) was joined by Crowell & Moring partners Rebecca Ricigliano, Chahira Solh, Stephanie Marcantonio, Cheryl Falvey, and firm chair Philip Inglima.

“I am fortunate to work with her every day in the leadership of our firm, and to witness first-hand the creativity, empathy, and commitment that she brings to both firm leadership and client service.  She provides a shining example to our entire Crowell & Moring community,” remarked Inglima, in presenting the award to Dwyer.

Outside of the firm, she serves on the board of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity— an organization of more than 300 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners dedicated to creating a truly diverse legal profession.

The publication will feature Dwyer in the December issue of Corporate Counsel magazine. For the full list of Women, Influence and Power in Law honorees, please click here.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with approximately 550 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, London, and Brussels.


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